What is the Gathering?
The Gathering is a local nonprofit hunger-relief organization focused on feeding Milwaukee’s hungry and homeless. Our Community Meal Programs - in operation since 1982 - serve between 80,000-90,000 free home cooked meals annually. We are one of Wisconsin’s largest volunteer-based meal program with 1,500-2,000 volunteers every year. The Gathering began as a Saturday lunch and weekday breakfast out of St. James Episcopal Church. Fr. Michael Stolpman in collaboration with leaders from other faith communities instituted this ministry of hospitality and food to meet the needs of those homeless walking Wisconsin Avenue. In March of 2017 The Gathering moved its downtown location from St. James to St. Ben's Parish on State Street. St. James closed its doors in October 2017.

When do you serve meals?
Breakfast is served Monday-Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. at our downtown location. Lunch is served Saturdays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at our downtown, south side, near north side and west side locations. (West side site serves on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays only). Dinner is served Monday and Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at our south side location. Please visit our Meal and Services Calendar for more information.

Are you affiliated with a church?
No. Although we were founded by the Episcopal Diocese, we are now an independent nonprofit organization and an interfaith ministry. This means we welcome individuals from all faiths as well as those who are non-religious. Currently we rent space from two churches and a neighborhood center for our meal programs. We also work with many church groups to help prepare and serve our food.

Where does your food come from?
The majority of our food (88%) is donated from government commodities, local food banks, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, grocery stores, wholesalers, farmers and individuals. The remaining 12% is purchased. Each year The Gathering receives between 80 and 120 TONS of donated food valued at over $200,000.

Do you offer other services to your guests?
Yes. Alleviating hunger is our primary cause, but we do offer assistance with mental health, basic medical and legal issues, along with street supply distributions. Visit our More Than Food page for more details.